A/N: it feels almost strange to have more than 40 reviews. Thank all of you!
This chapter is very Ariadne-centric, so big sorry for every fan of Arthur. I can promise that the next one, will include more of him. And we're also heading slowly to finish. 18. chapter will be the last one. Right now I'm leaving you with this one.
Hopefully enjoy and please, leave a review!
„Here are documents, you asked for", Ariadne put a manila folder on a desk of her coworker.
"Thanks.", Amelie answered absent-mindedly, but suddenly she brightened up.
"That's an engagement ring?", she exclaimed cheerfully. "Ariadne, it's beautiful! Why didn't you say anything? Do I know your fiancé? When will be the wedding?"
Ariadne blinked slightly overwhelmed by the number of questions.
"Umm, you don't know him. And I don't know when, we haven't planned it yet. And thanks.", she smiled. Indeed, the ring, Arthur gave her the next day after he had proposed, was beautiful. Exactly in Ariadne's taste.
"You have to bring with you to our party.", Amelie decided. "Does he speak French?"
Ariadne looked at her, completely confused for a moment. "Party?", she repeated. "Oh, party! Yes, I mean no! I can't… I don't think he'd be able to come.", she finished lamely.
Amelie stared at her with amusement in her eyes.
"Come on, we won't eat him. Besides, he bought you this", she gestured at Ariadne's finger. "I'm sure he loves you crazily."
"Oh… Ok, I'll see what I can do.", with that Ariadne left Amelie. She needed a moment alone, so she headed to toilet. As soon as she got there she covered her face with hands, trying desperately to stifle her tears.
Of course Arthur loved her. That was the only bright point in her life right now. Everything else was no more than a mess. Arthur was good in masking, but Ariadne could read him easily; for her it was clear that Arthur is scared for death that one day he'll wake up in pain on concrete floor in basement. She herself tried to forget about things she'd done, but with Eames being in city it wasn't easy. In fact, it was completely impossible.
Ariadne sighted. She wished Cobb was here, but she couldn't blame him for leaving; neither James nor Phillipa should have waited for him anymore.
She stared absently into mirror, short talk she had with Cobb before he left cleared in her mind.
The knock was short and strong. Ariadne gently disentangled herself from Arthur's arms with sight. He fall asleep about ten minutes ago and Ariadne enjoyed the simplicity of being so close to him without threat that somehow he'd find out, that something in her behavior or her eyes tells him what she did.
"Oh, Dom!", she said happily after opening door. Yesterday he magically disappeared when she arrived, not even giving her chance to say "Thank you." "Hello! That's wonderful you came, Arthur fall asleep, but…"
"It's good, I want to speak with you.", Dom interrupted, his tone cold.
Ariadne glanced at him, slightly confused. "So do we, there something we want to tell you.", she announced. "Please, come in."
"I'd rather speak in garden.", Cobb's voice was flat.
Ariadne glance at him once more, suddenly very aware of his strange gaze. "You know.", she stated quietly and shuddered.
Dom didn't answer, just gestured her to close the door and go with him.
"Will you… Will you tell Arthur?", she asked hesitantly as soon as they stood by gate.
Cobb's stare was stern. "I should.", he answered flatly. "But I won't", he added quickly, before Ariadne could say anything. "Ariadne…", his grasp on her shoulders was strong. "I know he hurt you, he's good at this, even when everything is fine. But if you love him, you need to understand him. If you love him, stay with him, he deserves this love."
Ariadne was startled; she'd never seen Cobb showing so much concern for anybody, besides his kids.
"I'll stay. I'll stay, of course I will.", she said. "I was stupid, I wish it'd never happened… Arthur proposed to me.", she finished eventually. "I said yes."
Cobb smiled slightly. "I'm happy.", he said, his tone much warmer this time. That encouraged Ariadne to said one more thing.
" I, did I hurt Eames?", she stammered out quickly, before her courage could go away.
Cobb frowned. "He'll be ok.", he answered shortly after a short pause, looking her with judged look.
In that moment Ariadne hated Cobb. She hated him, because he was so concerned, while two years ago he'd not hesitated to put them in danger of Limbo. She hated him, because he doubted in her love to Arthur.
But mostly she hated him because he said the thing she was scared of: that Eames isn't ok.
Because of her.
Ariadne splashed her face with water. She needed to leave bathroom and joined her work team, she couldn't stay here for ages.
Yet she couldn't manage to do so, the scene from two months ago so fresh in her mind.
She was so sure, when she answered Cobb.
I'll stay.
She shook her head, trying to clear her mind.
There was no doubts, she'd stay.
With that thought she came out.